Intraspecific body size variation and allometry of genitalia in

The current consensus is that sexual selection is responsible for the rapid and diverse evolution of genitalia, with several mutually exclusive mechanisms under debate, including non-antagonistic, antagonistic and stabilizing mechanisms. We used the orb-web spider, Argiope lobata (Araneidae), as a study model to quantify the allometric relationship between body size and genitalia, and to test for any impact of genital structures on male mating success or outcome in terms of copulation duration, leg loss or cannibalism. Our data do not support the ‘one-size-fits-all’ hypothesis that predicts a negative allometric slope between genitalia and body size. Importantly, we measured both male and female genitalia, and there was no sex specific pattern in allometric slopes. Unexpectedly, we found no predictor for reproductive success as indicated by copulation duration, cannibalism, and leg loss.

Body size variation in insects: a macroecological perspective

Frontiers Possible differences in effects on ejaculate

Pitfalls in understanding the functional significance of genital

Shape and size variation (phylogenetically uncorrected) of the

a–c) Interspecific and intersexual variation in shape of the (a

PDF] Allometry of the baculum and sexual size dimorphism in

Interspecific comparison of allometry between body weight and

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PDF] Allometry: The Study of Biological Scaling